Varvatos Artisan Black to be released in upcoming months...

I was walking through the fragrance section of one of the department stores in downtown Toronto the other day. As I passed the John Varvatos counter, a small atomizer caught my eye, and for some reason I decided to enquire about it. The SA told me that is the unreleased Artisan Black by John Varvatos. He didn't know the actual release date but showed me pictures of the bottle to be released. Same style and shape as the original Artisan, but all black, which made it look very interesting. The scent itself is very pleasant as I got a whiff from the small decant. Definite similarity to the orignal, but obviously deeper, richer. Perhaps an oriental version of it. I really liked it, but I also really loved the orignal on first whiff, but then became easily tired of it after buying it on impulse. Has anyone else encounterd Artisan Black? Impressions?

Re: Varvatos Artisan Black to be released in upcoming months...

I'm definitely in the minority; however Artisan went well with my body chemistry. On my friend, it went flat and smelled like dish detergent or something. I lucked out, got his bottle, still loving it.

Re: Varvatos Artisan Black to be released in upcoming months...

You...have....got...to...be....kidding me! Come on people! This flanker BS is getting ridiculous. Artisan Black!? The first fragrance was marketed as, and smelled the polar opposite of anything black, it was bright and upbeat. This just PROVES (as if we didn't already know) that it's all about the money, what other reason to slap "Black" onto a fragrance that was as far away from dark as you can get?

Re: Varvatos Artisan Black to be released in upcoming months...

Originally Posted by mtgprox05

You...have....got...to...be....kidding me! Come on people! This flanker BS is getting ridiculous. Artisan Black!? The first fragrance was marketed as, and smelled the polar opposite of anything black, it was bright and upbeat. This just PROVES (as if we didn't already know) that it's all about the money, what other reason to slap "Black" onto a fragrance that was as far away from dark as you can get?

I haven't smelled any designer fragrance called 'black' that actually reminded me of anything dark, deep or black. Except maybe Bulgari Black. Your Polo black and double black are boring, fruity affairs which are pretty much what Varvatos, Vintage and Artisan are already. What more could they do to Varvatos fragrances to make them 'black'? They're already black as defined by the designer fragrance world.

Re: Varvatos Artisan Black to be released in upcoming months...

Originally Posted by bluesoul

I've wanted to like a Varvatos fragrance but none of them have struck me as significant. I don't expect a flanker of a flanker to be the one that does it.

Well, to be fair Artisan was released five years after the original John Varvatos and I don't think was meant to be a spinoff of the original scent at all, so technically this is simply a "flanker" and not a "flanker of a flanker." I think Artisan is distinct enough to stand on its own apart from the other Varvatos offerings. I do get what you're saying though.

I understand the cynicism over the whole "black" business - it is definitely an overused and almost never appropriate name meant to lend a "mysterious" aura that the scent itself does not actually possess. However, I am a pretty big fan of the original JV so I think this one will warrant a sniff the next time I'm at Macy's.

Re: Varvatos Artisan Black to be released in upcoming months...

There aren't many notes in perfumery that elicit thoughts of black, if we can give synesthesia a ride here. Wormwood, anise, and real vetiver are all quite pungent and black-ish (of course green also seems a reasonable association), they're also largely unpalatable unless expertly handled and for the most part mainstream fragrance has little desire for, say, a wormwood-dominant frag. So we get stuff like Polo Black and Double Black, not bashing PDB on it's scent merits but I think the name is a bit suspect.

Twitter - @DanielTharpDanielTharp.com has additional reviews and commentary.Always be content with what you have, never be content with what you are.

Re: Varvatos Artisan Black to be released in upcoming months...

I don't think Artisan is, or should be, considered a flanker. It has nothing to do with the original scent, nor did Vintage. Totally different scents that shared a common bottle style. Rock Vol. 1 is a flanker.

Re: Varvatos Artisan Black to be released in upcoming months...

Re: Varvatos Artisan Black to be released in upcoming months...

It was at Saks. I got it because I like previous Varvatos release, and I had a gift certificate. It is a nice citrus scent. Again, nothing groundbreaking. Not sure what is so "black" about it. Hope more people sniff this so they can explain it to me

Looks like it's only available in a 4.2 oz for now, and will be a limited edition. Currently a Saks exclusive as mentioned earlier, but will be in wider distribution by April 1st. Anyway, I love the original Artisan - it's my standard work scent. Hopefully this one is good too!

Re: Varvatos Artisan Black to be released in upcoming months...

i've always dug Varvatos scents.....Vintage is still one of the only 'mainstream' fragrances that really does it for me. I never bought the Artisian, because i thought Porsche Design Essence did the same sort of citrus journey, only much better....but i'm definitely interested in the Artisian Black!

Re: Varvatos Artisan Black to be released in upcoming months...

I just picked this up at Nordstroms in Walnut Creek today after trying it in SF at the Varvatos store. Love it! A really awesome citrus scent that seems like it would go well in all weather.

I had them make me a spray sample from my local Nordstroms last night. It smelt great on the tester strip I thought. It opens with a darker citrus, almost like that of Jo Malones Fig & Cassis Cologne, it's sharp but not bright. 5 minutes later it's already mellowed down to it's dark green and floral heart notes.

Anyway, I'm wearing it at work this morning and I sprayed it on 35 minutes ago. It is super clean and transparent to my nose, almost more so than Bulgari Pour Homme. It might just be a scent the wearer can't perceive after a while or it might have a similar longevity problem like Artisan.
Yo Jabel, what is your experience so far?

Re: Varvatos Artisan Black to be released in upcoming months...

I wore it yesterday and it was just like you described. After about an hour it was very mellow but still vaguely present to my nose. It was mid 60's yesterday so I think in warmer weather it will be a real winner.

Re: Varvatos Artisan Black to be released in upcoming months...

I picked up a sample of Artisan Black at Nordstrom and wore it yesterday for the first time. I liked the original Artisan, except for its problem with longevity. The initial blast upon application is very citrusy, but within minutes the fragrance begins to mellow out. Oddly enough, about 15 minutes after application, I was detected something much more earthy than the original, almost reminiscent of Terre d'Hermes (which I adore). This, too, evolved into something more woodsy and citrusy yet very energizing and pleasant.

I am happy to say the longevity issue of the original Artisan release has been resolved -- 2 squirts and 9 hours later, it was still detectable and crisp/clean while earthy. Not sure "earthy" equates to "black" -- the additional neroli, ginger and vetyvert notes are definitely present, but I'm not sure I'd call this "black". In any case, I went back to Nordstrom's last night and bought a bottle, which I have to say looks stunning on the dresser next to the original Artisan!